Rochester’s 2016 Weather Was Warm and Wet

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Rochester’s weather during 2016 can be summarized in two words: warm and wet.

The National Weather Service annual report shows the city’s precipitation total during the year was 43.55 inches. That is not only the 3rd most on record but it was also just the third time the annual precipitation total exceeded 43 inches. The 3.98 inches recorded in March was the 3rd highest for the month. September was also the 3rd wettest with a total of 9.1 inches. December was the 9th snowiest with a snowfall total of 19.7 inches.

On the warm side, the average temperature for the year was 47.5 degrees. That’s the 4th warmest and only the seventh time that Rochester has averaged higher than 47 degrees in a year. There were 149 days of 70 degrees or better, tied for 3rd most in a year. Temperatures held above freezing on 236 days, 4th most in any year in Rochester.

June kicked off the summer on a warm note with 13 days with highs 80 degrees or warmer. The warmest day of 2016 came on June 10th with a high of 93.

Why so warm? The Weather Service says a very strong El Nino (one of the strongest on record) in the early part of the early gave us a mild winter. A weak La Nina helped make a very warm fall season.